What does a positive TB test mean?
• A positive TB test means you have been exposed to the TB bacteria. This is called latent TB. • This exposure could have been recent or years ago. • A positive TB test does not mean you have active (infectious) TB. • If you have a cough lasting longer than 3 weeks or unexplained weight loss other tests are done to check if it is a active TB. • A person with a positive TB test and no active disease cannot spread TB to others. • Only 10% of people with positive TB tests go on to develop active TB. What happens if I have a positive TB test? • Some people are referred for an chest x-ray after a positive TB test: – contacts of a active case of TB – people whose TB test was negative in the last 2 years and is positive now – people younger than 35 years of age – people who have low immunity from certain illnesses (HIV/AIDS, on renal dialysis) or from certain drugs – people with symptoms of TB. • People who don’t fit into the above and have no symptoms have probably had the bacteria for many
A positive TB test means that someone has been exposed to the TB germ and follow up evaluation is needed. Once a positive TB test has been confirmed to be truly positive, there is no point in having repeat TB tests in the future. They will not hurt you, or cause disease, but will always continue to be positive. Could BCG vaccine affect TB skin test results? BCG vaccine (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) used in countries where TB is endemic, can decrease the severity of TB in children but will not prevent TB infection. Contrary to what many people have been told, having received a BCG vaccine in the past will not usually cause a positive TB skin test. If you have a positive TB skin test, you should assume you are infected with TB. Where can I get more information? Below are various phone numbers and websites where you can locate more information. Phone Numbers: (850) 606-8000 – Leon County Health Department (800) – 4TB-INFO (482-4636) – A.G.
